Big festivals tend to have pretty big ticket prices to go with them — even if you can save money on a cheap pop-up tent [1] — but there's also a huge variety of free festivals across the whole of the UK that you can enjoy without needing to pay a penny. We've rounded up 14 of the best free entertainment options on offer this Summer, from music, art, sports, and maritime festivals to air shows, balloon fiestas, and heritage celebrations. Headliners are as diverse as Ronan Keating, The Darkness, and Jimmy Cliff!
No matter where you're based, you'll find a free festival near you, with events taking place across England, Scotland, and Wales. Browse our selection here, then add them to your list of cheap and free things to do this Summer [2].
Rochdale Feel Good Festival
Rochdale Feel Good Festival [3]
Aug. 18, 2018
Food court: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Main stage: 1 p.m. to 10.40 p.m.
Family entertainment: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Feeder will headline this free music festival in Rochdale town centre. Live music will be performed in indoor venues and on a main stage in front of the town hall.
Bournemouth Air Festival
Bournemouth Air Festival [4]
Aug. 20 to Sep. 2, 2018
You can see the UK's largest air festival all across the Bournemouth coastline, with entertainment laid on between Boscombe and Bournemouth piers.
There are displays from the Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, plus events on sea and on land, too.
Festival Too, King's Lynn
Festival Too [5]
June 30: 8 p.m. to 10.45 p.m.
July 1: 1 p.m. to 4.45 p.m.
July 6: 7.30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
July 7: 6.30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
July 13: 7.30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
July 14: 6.30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Festival Too is a free, unticketed music festival that takes place over three weekends in King's Lynn, Norfolk. The opening weekend is held at King Staithe Square, and then it's at Tuesday Market Place.
Acts include Pixie Lott, The Darkness, and The Sherlocks. Expect fireworks on the opening night and street entertainment on the three Saturdays, perfect for families.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta [6]
Aug. 9 to Aug. 12, 2018
Europe's largest annual meeting of hot air balloons takes place over four days at Ashton Court Estate, with free family fun including fairground rides, entertainment, and 130 hot air balloons from across the world. (There is a charge for parking on-site.)
Oldham LIVE
Oldham LIVE [7]
Aug. 25, 2018, 12p.m. to 10 p.m.
This free live music festival begins with family entertainment, followed by live music in Parliament Square — the full lineup is due to be announced soon.
Strathaven Hot Air Balloon Festival, Scotland
Strathaven Hot Air Balloon Festival [8]
Aug. 24 to Aug. 26 2018
From 6 p.m. on Friday, there'll be balloon flights, with balloon launches taking place from 6.30 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the Saturday and Sunday. Also on Saturday there'll be the Evening Glow event from 9 p.m.
From 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday there's entertainment in the park in South Lanarkshire with a Family Fun Day of birds of prey, dancers, fun fair, music, stalls, and classic vehicles.
ZestiFAL, Falmouth
ZestiFAL [9]
Jul 28-29, 2018 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Held in Kimberley Park in Falmouth, Cornwall, this festival puts on various activities and sports for visitors to try for free from local groups and gyms, from climbing, dance fitness, and mountain biking to parkour, skateboarding, rowing, and Zumba.
On Saturday night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. there's the ZestiFAL Dance Party, an evening of dance and music from local community troupes for all of the family.
Heritage Open Days Festival, Nationwide
Heritage Open Days Festival [10]
Sept. 6 to Sep. 9 and Sept. 13 to Sept. 16, 2018
England's largest festival of history and culture sees 2,500 organisations across the country put on 5,000 events, opening their doors to celebrate their heritage for free.
Edinburgh Art Festival
Edinburgh Art Festival [11]
July 26 to Aug. 26, 2018
The visual arts join Edinburgh's August festivals at the city's galleries, museums, and artist-run spaces.
Leading UK and international artists display their work alongside the best emerging talent, with the vast majority of the festival being free.
Brighton Kite Festival
Brighton Kite Festival [12]
July 7-8 July 2018
Taking place in the skies over Stanmer Park, kites of all shapes, sizes, and colours are flown by world-class flyers. There'll be arena displays and family fun in the fields. Although a free event, donations for parking are requested.
Bristol Harbour Festival
Bristol Harbour Festival [13]
July 20-22, 2018
Bristol's family and maritime festival kicks off on Friday with a concert on the Bristol Music Stage at the Amphitheatre featuring Jimmy Cliff, Grandmaster Flash, and Trojan Records.
In addition to music, there'll be circus displays, food and vintage markets, and tall ships and visiting boats at Bristol's Floating Harbour.
Godiva Festival, Coventry
Godiva Festival [14]
Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, 2018
Ronan Keating, Gabrielle, Jonas Blue, Professor Green, Blood Red Shoes, and Little Comets are headlining Coventry's Godiva Festival in War Memorial Park over three days of live music, family entertainment, food and drink, crafts, and fun fair rides.
Clarence Park Festival, Wakefield
Clarence Park Festival [15]
July 28-29, 2018
Wakefield Music Collective puts on the longest-running free music Festival in Yorkshire, with diverse genres from folk and jazz to punk and rock.
There are food tents, a beer tent, and craft stalls.
Monmouth Festival
Monmouth Festival [16]
July 27 to Aug. 4, 2018
Held in the Welsh border town of Monmouth, this free nine-day music festival includes a Family Fun Day, Fringe, and Monmouth Unplugged.
It showcases iconic legends, up-and-comers, and local artists across classical, country, dance, folk, jazz, pop, rock 'n' roll, ska, and world music.